Former Nigeria international Osaze Odemwingie has expressed support for the omission of star players Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Alex Iwobi from the Super Eagles squad for upcoming international friendly matches against Russia and Ghana.

In an interview with Championat, Odemwingie, who had a successful career in Russian football, endorsed Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle's decision to introduce fresh talent to the national team setup.

"I like it when new names appear, there will be more competition for the main players," Odemwingie stated. The former striker emphasized that Nigeria, renowned for its football talent pool, "cannot always rely on the same players."

Coach Chelle has named a 21-man squad for the friendly against Russia scheduled for June 6 in Moscow, which includes four uncapped players. Notable absentees include Osimhen, Lookman, Iwobi, and Calvin Bassey, who are widely considered among Nigeria's top performers.

The decision appears strategic as it offers opportunities for emerging talents to prove themselves at the international level. Osimhen and Lookman, currently Nigeria's standout performers, have been given a rest as the coach looks to expand his player options.

The Super Eagles have already commenced preparations for the upcoming friendlies, with reports indicating that 20 players have arrived at the team's camp in London ahead of the Unity Cup, where they will also face Ghana.

These friendly matches serve as important preparation for Nigeria's future competitive fixtures and provide an opportunity to assess the depth of talent available to the national team.